October 16, 2025
The Feast - Part 4
Luke 14:7,10
10/16/2025
7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited,
when he noticed how they chose the places of
honor, saying to them...
10 ``But when you are invited, go and sit in the
lowest place, so that when your host comes he may
say to you, ``Friend, move up higher.'' Then you
will be honored in the presence of all who sit at
table with you.'' (ESV)
Jesus was invited to a Sabbath dinner at the home of a ruler
of the Pharisees.
Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when
he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying
to them... ``But when you are invited, go and sit in
the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may
say to you, ``Friend, move up higher.'' Then you will
be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with
you.''
We have related this parable to the practice of Closed
Communion, where the Sacrament of the Altar is reserved for those
people who hold a common confession of faith. Since the time of
the Reformation, the three major branches of Western Christianity
have been divided over the word ``is'' when Jesus said, ``This is
my body, this is my blood.''
What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper? Is it to show a
unity of faith even if we disagree on the meaning of Jesus'
words? Jesus, Himself, said,``for the remission of your sins.''
When we confess our sin, we declare ourselves unworthy of
God's rich grace and blessing. Yet it is the repentant sinner
who hears the words, ``Friend, move up higher.'' It is the
repentant sinner who accepts God's grace, who trusts in the death
and resurrection of Jesus for redemption from sin and death.
They trust not in their works, but in God's love. They trust
Jesus' words, even if the words are a mystery of faith.
May our Lord grant us the humble heart to receive His gift
of salvation, to trust in Christ Jesus alone. Amen.